From one good job to another: pilot for tradies to become teachers
Education Minister Grace Grace has announced a new $10 million pilot program to boost the number of industrial technology and design (ITD) teachers, which will support tradies to become teachers in Queensland’s state schools.
Minister Grace said the Trade to Teach Internship pilot program, which forms part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Workforce Strategy, will see tradies get financial support, an income, mentoring and classroom experience, and ultimately a permanent teaching position in a Queensland state secondary school.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring good jobs and better services are available to all Queenslanders,” Ms Grace said.
“That’s why we’re investing $10 million into our new Trade to Teach Internship pilot program, which will support up to 30 tradies to become ITD teachers and bring real-world industry experience to the classroom.
“We’re looking for tradies who want a career change, have a passion for their craft, and a desire to pass their knowledge onto the next generation.
“Successful participants will receive a $20,000 scholarship in the first year of their undergraduate teaching degree, commencing in 2023, and a guaranteed state school internship from 2024 at full pay with half-time teaching load, before starting their permanent role as a fully qualified teacher in 2027.
All aboard: Rail recruitment drive connecting Queenslanders with good jobs
Queensland Rail will hire around 86 new graduates, apprentices and trainees across the state in the next 12 months as part of Queensland’s rail revolution from the Gold Coast to Mount Isa.
A recruitment drive is also underway for hundreds of train crew as Queensland Rail prepares for the integration of Cross River Rail into the South East Queensland network, with positions opened to internal candidates before recruiting externally.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government’s rail revolution including delivering projects like Cross River Rail to get the southeast transport network ready for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games is delivering a jobs bonanza to the State.
“Queensland’s biggest infrastructure project is not only creating jobs, it’s creating trainee and apprentice opportunities to make sure our workforce has the skills they need for the future,” the Premier said.
“450 apprentice and training opportunities will be supported by Cross River Rail, with 328 already registered with the project.
“This is an exciting time for students and trainees, and the rail industry more broadly.”
The Premier said Queensland Rail was also undertaking one of the largest graduate intakes in its history.
“31 engineering, IT and business graduates will join the Queensland Rail team as we deliver more tracks, more trains and better services to Queenslanders” the Premier said.
“Better yet, as many as 55 apprentices and traineeship opportunities will be offered across a number of trades to build a new generation of railway workers.
“That’s a total of 86 new apprentices and graduates across the whole of Queensland, to boost the technical and trade workforce as we deliver major rail projects across the state.”
